Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend?

I received this book for free from First Second (Macmillan) for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

First sentence: “The Prince is holding a ball!!”

In this fairytale for the modern age, there lived a prince who loves to wear dresses and a talented dressmaker who dreams of doing more with her work. These two come together to take on the world of fashion! But unfortunately in secret (boys dressing up in dresses is unacceptable to people). Both yearn for more—acceptance, openness, to be who they are without it being a secret.

Everything You Need to Know AboutThe Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker is the cutest graphic novel of 2017!

I don’t know how many times I cooed and awed. It’s so darn cute! These characters are so darling, and want nothing more to do what they love and be accepted. Prince Sebastian and Frances’s friendship is the sweetest I’ve ever seen. I love how they try to life each other up. They are so lovable, and you just want good things to happen to them. It will surely warm your heart.

It’s a new fairytale for the modern age!

Forget Cinderella and her fairy godmother or Beauty and the Beast where the girl falls in love with the Beast (who is really a cursed prince). The Prince and the Dressmaker tells a tale that is so relatable to today’s world, despite taking place in 19th century Paris. We have characters dealing with their gender identity and acceptance, trying to make it in the world of fashion, dealing with parent’s and society’s expectations.

You’ll get dress envy.

Prepare to swoooooon at the gorgeous dresses Frances, the dressmaker, makes for Prince Sebastian. I want all these dresses in my closet. Her dresses are so magical. She breaks fashion trends—which were 19th century dresses with corsets and big skirts—with her modern designs—imagine dresses you see at the Grammy Awards or the Oscars that curve to the body and shows more skin than society would allow for this time. Her dresses shock the public, and they are so gorgeous.

It challenges gender norms.

Boys don’t usually wear dresses, and when they do, they are treated like a freak. That’s why Prince Sebastian wears dresses in secret; it’s just not accepted. Why can’t a boy wear dresses? The Prince and the Dressmaker explores these characters embracing who they are, and accept that they aren’t like most people and that’s okay. I wish this graphic novel explored more of Prince Sebastian’s gender identity because it’s not really touched upon; instead, it emphasized a lot about wanting to be accepted.

The art will render you breathless.

How do I even start talking about Jen Wang’s art? The way the characters looked, the detail in the setting, the fabulous dresses that I’d love to see come to life—they’re all fantastic. Jen transforms the scene onto paper so beautifully and naturally from panel to panel.

Who will love this graphic novel?Readers who love adorableness. People who like gender norms being challenged. People who love beautiful dresses!

Why you read The Prince and the Dressmaker?Yes. If you want a graphic novel that challenges gender norms but is also adorable and full of gorgeous dresses, The Prince and the Dressmaker needs to be your next read.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
February 13, 2018 • First Second (Macmillan)

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about me

I'm Cee, queen of all things delightful!
Well, in my head.

The Novel Hermit is written by a daydreamer who loves books and thinks they are absolutely delightful. You will find YA, reviews, comics, discussion, letters, fonts + book cover love, and lots of fangirling squealing. What more can you ask for?

Disclaimer

All of the books I review either have been purchased by me, borrowed from the library, and sent to me by the publisher (the latter of which I will note). All the words and opinions in this blog are my own. I am not paid to write reviews. Synopsis are taken from either the back of the book or from Goodreads.com. Any use and/or duplication of my material without permission from me (the author and owner of The Novel Hermit blog) is strictly prohibited.